IN support of his economically challenged constituents, Manila City Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada vowed to mitigate poverty incidence in the country’s capital by providing employment opportunities to thousands of Manileños, as he lauded the more than 1,000 graduates of short-term programs of the Manila Manpower Development Center (MMDC).
“The ‘Womb To Tomb’ program aims to significantly reduce poverty incidence in a sustainable manner,” he said during a simple graduation ceremony held in San Andres Bukid, Manila.
Estrada added the MMDC is making rounds in various communities citywide, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to help them acquire skills and find jobs.
A total of 1,035 graduates finished the following brief courses: hotel and restaurant services, baking, cooking and food processing, hair coloring, beauty care, unisex haircutting, bedsheet making and throw-pillow making, among others.
“All of these are being taught by the Manila Manpower Development Center, under the supervision of Manila Department of Social Welfare headed by Nanet Tayag,” Estrada said in mixed Filipino and English.
He added that this initiative also aims to create opportunities, including self-employment, for the poor.
“I am also proud to announce that to expand the program, evening classes will, likewise, open starting May 7, including cooking, beauty culture, massage therapist and other shorter courses,” the mayor said.
Manila City Hall is working closely with the private sector to operationalize the program, particularly on the provision of business and job opportunities to target households.
In his speech, Estrada said the city government’s response to poverty is seen via the lens of human development.
“All of these are realized through employment and livelihood, education, health and other programs being initiated by the city government,” he said.
To help develop local entrepreneurs, Estrada announced that the graduates and interested Manila residents can apply for a P5,000 loan to start their own small businesses.
